I receive an email with this surprising news:
Matt Bridge has been sacked as Greece coach. The New Zea lander, who led Greece to their first two wins in international rugby, was informed via a two-line email on Wednesday April 11. “It has come as a bolt from the blue,” he said. “I am disappointed not to be able to finish the job I was asked to do.” The federation has given no explanation as yet for the decision to relieve Bridge of his duties. Following this, I found a nice article on Sporting Greece.
I will take their sources for granted when they state that: “the president of the Greek Rugby Federation said that no explanations were needed for the sacking on Wednesday of New Zealand coach Matt Bridge. It is a matter for the federation, no one else”.
Vangelis Stamou, the all mighty president said that he did not need to give an explanation to Bridge or to the players. How dumb is that?
How do you expect to build a strong team like this. Rugby is the team game by excellence. You need to build a group, a group of warriors. If the players are not bound like a band of brother, there is no way they could win a game. This game is about sacrifice, sacrifice of yourself for your team mates. Changing their leader 3 trainings before the most important game in the Greek rugby history up to now, is not the smartest move I have seen. I would like to remind you that if Greece win, they will play next season in a higher division.
Spartakos coach Babis Demezis, who traveled with the national squad to Cyprus last month – a game they lost 39-3 – is the favorite to take. Well I had the chance to play against Babis, he knows the game, and I sincerely wish him gook luck.
Word in Cyprus is that our Irish Coach has agreed to help out and take Greece through this game. To this I would say Greece is very luck.He is very tough, talented and carries great respect here in Cyprus. As you can see from our display against Greece he had the boys well prepared and the game plan was perfect.I have worked under him as a player for some years and tell you he is one very strict man with his players and takes no prisoners! He has improved my game in no uncertain terms. So if the rumour is true? I say well done to Greece. Listen and do what this man wants and success will come!
Dear George,
No offence to you, but there is some things you do not know, that is why you do not understand the situation in Greek rugby and what Matt Bridge meant to the players and how well he worked with them.
Maybe one day we can sit down over a pint and discuss about it. I can not argue that the coach that you are talking about is not good, but some times it is wise to replace a successful coach with a much better one and when you fire a coach (which you where getting for free) give the players a reason, as they are the machine behind Greek rugby.
I do not know how strict is the coach but I doubt that he will get the respect that Matt Bridge had, and that would be a shame because it will not be his fault……
I do not know you, but shouldn’t it be up to the National Union to decide what is best for your national team, and not worry what is best for a few players wanting to control rugby in Greece?
I have heard rumours that Mr Bridge is closely linked to the Athens team.
Is this a good thing? Do you have to be nepotic to get respect?
Good luck anyway,
Spanner
Spanner, I am not link with any team and I support Greek rugby. The main example will be this actual site. So as a Greek rugby fan I would like to know what is going on. How come this union has no transparency whatsoever? Is that a good way to promote Greek rugby and attract people? Go and support a NEW sport but you need to be aware, that you do not care. On the other hand, this union would not even exist without the helps of the main rugby teams in Greece.
Looks like the new coach has done a good job and the Federation has found themselves a winner, as I thought! Lets hope they hold on to him??